During the late 1800's in America as the eastern coast of America became crowed with people and the discover of gold in the west. There was a massive rush of people migrating to the west looking for an opportunity to become rich. But, Indians and buffalo's, which lead to hostility between the U. S. Calvary and the Indians, already occupied the west terrorist.

Black troops was used during the Civil War, in segrated units, about 180,000 served in the Union Army. When the war ended in 1865, Congress authorized black troops to serve in the regular peactime army. Later, they formed the two cavalry regiments- Ninth and Tenth, which became know as the famous buffalo soldiers.

It was during the summer of 1787 that delegates representing most of the thirteen states of the United States wrote the first official constitution this nation has known. The new document

3 Ira Berlin, "The Black military Experience," in Freedom: A Document History of Emancipation, 1861-1867, ed. Barbara J. Fields, Steven F. Miller, Joseph P. Reidy and Leslie S. Rowland, (New York: The New Press, 1982), p. 385-386.

On August 3, 1866, Gen. Phillip Sheridan, commander of the Military Division of the Gulf, was authorized to raise one regiment of "colored" cavalry that was to be designated the 9th Regiment. A recruiting office was established in New Orleans, Louisiana and later that fall; a second office was opened in Louisville, Kentucky. Of the original recruits, the majority came from these two states and were veterans of the Civil War. Enlistment was for five years, with recruits receiving thirteen dollars a month, plus room, board, and clothing.

The most serious problem faced by the Army during the Indian War period was desertion. In 1868, the desertion rate for enlisted personnel was approximately 25 percent. Desertions among White regiments were roughly three times greater than those among Black units. Also, both African-American cavalry and infantry regiments had lower rates of alcoholism than their White counterparts. While in the field, both the troopers and their horses faced not only hostile Indians and outlaws, but also extended patrols of up to six months and covering more than 1,000 miles. Adding to their ordeal was the scarcity of water and the extremes of weather common to the southwest.

During the Civil War, President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation freed only those slaves in areas "in rebellion against the United States." Since the Union did not control the southern states that seceded, the Proclamation did not immediately free any slaves. It did, however, capture public attention and made all aware that the abolition of slavery was an aim of the war.

Units of the black regiments were stationed all over the West. In the battles and countless skirmishes that marked the Indian Wars, the black soldiers played a significant role. Commanded by white officers, who at times resented their duty with the black regiments, the Buffalo Soldiers endured and overcame tremendous social and environmental obstacles. They were sometimes received inferior supplies and equipment.

The 10th Cavalry was formed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1866. The regiments' commander and Civil War hero Benjamin Grierson set very high

Bailey, Sedell, "Buffalo Soldiers (Black Troops of the 9th and 10th Cavalries)," Armor, LXXXIII (January/February, 1974), 9-12.

4 The Forgotten Heroes: The Story of the Buffalo Soldiers, Clinton Cox

A system of checks and balances based on a two-house legislature, a separate executive branch, an autonomous judiciary, and also provisions for amendment are the greatest strengths of the document

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